A Swansea family is grieving the loss of their beloved eight-year-old chihuahua after he was fatally attacked by another dog in the garden of their own home – in an incident that has left neighbours shaken and sparked calls for tougher action on dangerous dogs.
Hugo, who had been due to serve as ring bearer at his owners’ wedding, was killed on Thursday 23 April at the family’s address on Eagles Place in Blaenymaes. Hugo’s dad had returned home from work and let him outside into their private garden as normal, when he discovered a large bulldog-type dog already on the property. The attack happened within minutes.
Hugo’s mam said the family was struggling to come to terms with what happened. “He was a bundle of joy. Not your average chihuahua. He was the light of our lives,” she said. “He absolutely loved adventures – hiking a lot of the Brecon Beacons and mid and south Wales, joining us on bike rides, beach days, you name it. He will be sorely missed by his two St Bernard best friends Herbie and Missy.”
She paid tribute to the neighbours and her father who helped her partner in the immediate aftermath. “My partner is shaking and traumatised from witnessing it all,” she said. “I want to include my sincere thank you to my neighbours and father that day who helped my distraught partner, kept others safe on the street and communicated with the police further. I cannot thank them enough for their support.”
Hugo had become a much-loved figure in the local community, joining his owners at the annual Christmas Parade each year and going everywhere with his mam. The couple had been making plans to take him travelling across Europe, and he was set to play a starring role at their wedding as ring bearer – which had been planned around him and their other family dogs.
South Wales Police confirmed they attended the scene and later executed a warrant, seizing the offending dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act. An investigation is now underway to establish any criminal liability. A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the victim dog following this traumatic experience for them.”
Hugo’s mam said the person who came to collect the attacking dog did not claim ownership, saying it belonged to a family member who was unaware it had been out roaming. “The dog was loose and my poor partner had to search for the owner,” she said.
She said she had been raising concerns about the address the dog came from with both the police and the council, but felt action had been too slow. “The address the dog came from has heavy activity which I’ve reported to the police and council,” she said. “I have been emailing our housing officer and received unsatisfactory replies, some limited to ‘thank you for the email’ regarding serious matters. I find this disgusting.”
She confirmed she intended to take the matter further once she had recovered from the immediate trauma. “I am going to be following it up with MPs to call for tighter restrictions and harsher punishments for those unable to control their dogs,” she said. “The council need to have swifter action. He should have been able to be safe and free within his own private property.”
Multiple neighbours had to come outside to help her partner bring the situation under control on the day of the attack. The owner raised concerns that the attacking dog had entered neighbouring properties before reaching their garden, and said the incident had heightened fears in the community. “There are children, infants and other pets on the street,” she said. “I am deeply concerned about the safety of other pets and children in the area if dogs are able to roam and access private properties in this way.”
South Wales Police are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact South Wales Police by calling 101.
